POPE Francis is set to be discharged from hospital tomorrow after spending more than five weeks battling double pneumonia.
It comes as the Pontiff now has to relearn how to speak again following his battle which left him “in danger of losing his life”.
For more than a month now, the Pope has been receiving medical care at a hospital as he has faced various health issues such as kidney problems and recurring breathing difficulties.
On Friday, the Vatican issued the latest update in his health saying that he was stable and showing “minor improvements in breathing and mobility”.
While no longer being on a mechanical ventilator, the Pope is receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula.
On March 6, the public was given a rare glimpse into his health battle with the release of a brief audio clip of him speaking from his sick bed.
In it, the Pontiff sounded breathless, with a frail and broken voice, and was difficult to understand.
But, he was seen for the first time since his hospitalisation last Sunday as he attended Holy Mass in the hospital chapel.
According to a post on the Vatican’s social media account, today Pope Francis participated in the Holy Mass at the chapel located on the tenth floor of the Policlinico Gemelli.
Cardinal Fernandez mentioned recently that the Pope’s recovery process will be lengthy, with uncertainties about his discharge date and a potential return to the Vatican.
He noted that he did not know if it would be in time for Easter which is on April 20.
While those close to the Pope and The Vatican continue to deny rumours of any resignation, rivals have not.
French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, who is tipped to be one of the contenders to replace Francis, said at a recent press conference that “everything is possible” when asked about such moves.
But, despite fears about his health, Francis has continued some of his work from his sickbed such as meeting with senior church members and conducting phone calls.
Initial rumours about him stepping down were sparked after it was revealed that the Pope had penned a resignation letter 12 years ago in case he became too ill to serve.
But Argentine journalist Elisabetta Pique, a friend and biographer of Francis, is adamant that the Pontiff will not step down.
“He’s always been a fighter. He doesn’t give in under pressure,” she said.
